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This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started. 

China Hits Back with Rare Earth Export Curbs

In a powerful response to US tariffs, China has tightened export controls on rare earth minerals—essential for defense tech, EVs, and smartphones. These new rules require permits for seven key rare earth elements, creating delays that could ripple through global supply chains. With China controlling nearly 90% of global supply and refining, this move hits American giants like Tesla, Lockheed Martin, and Apple. The U.S. has only one rare earth mine, intensifying the urgency to diversify supply chains. As Bloomberg reports, China’s message is clear: if Washington plays tariffs, Beijing plays rare earths.

Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium; India Pushes for Extradition

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi—accused in the ₹14,000-crore PNB scam—has been arrested in Belgium. Indian agencies, including the CBI and ED, are preparing to travel to Brussels to expedite his extradition. Choksi, who obtained Belgian residency in 2023, is contesting the move on medical and human rights grounds. His lawyer cites poor prison conditions in India and claims the case is political. Belgium has acknowledged India’s extradition request, setting the stage for a legal showdown that could mirror past cases like Sanjay Bhandari’s.

Dr Reddy’s Slams Downsizing Rumors Amid Strong Q3 Earnings

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has denied reports that it plans to cut workforce costs by 25%, calling the claims “factually incorrect.” Business Standard had reported that high-paid executives and R&D employees were being asked to resign or take voluntary retirement. However, the pharma major insists no such restructuring is happening. Financially, Dr Reddy’s delivered a strong Q3 FY25—profit after tax rose 2% YoY to ₹1,413.3 crore, while revenue jumped 16% to ₹8,358.6 crore. Key growth came from India, Emerging Markets, and the Nicotine Replacement Therapy portfolio. EBITDA hit ₹2,298.2 crore, reflecting solid business fundamentals.

Tata Capital Files for IPO, Only Third Tata Listing in 25 Years

Tata Capital is preparing for a long-awaited IPO, marking the Tata Group’s third public listing in a quarter-century, after TCS and Tata Technologies. The move follows an RBI mandate requiring systemically important NBFCs to go public by September 2025. The IPO is expected to raise ₹15,000–₹18,000 crore. Once plagued by bad loans and group-level turbulence, Tata Capital has pivoted under Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and CEO Rajiv Sabharwal, growing its loan book to ₹1.5 trillion. With strong focus on affordable housing and SMEs, the IPO is poised to reshape the NBFC space.

OYO Faces FIR Over Alleged ₹22 Crore Revenue Inflation

Samskara Resort in Jaipur has filed an FIR against OYO, accusing the travel aggregator of fabricating bookings worth ₹22.22 crore, which triggered a ₹2.66 crore GST notice. Madan Jain, associated with the resort, claims OYO backdated and inflated revenues even before their agreement began in April 2019. Actual bookings via OYO reportedly totaled just ₹10.95 lakh. The FIR names OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal and includes charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Rajasthan’s hotel federation alleges over 20 hotels received similar GST notices, pointing to a broader pattern of grievances against OYO, which is yet to respond.

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